Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-10-27

81 will be very grandmother, aunt.
will not look crossways at him. But this
is a case of m utal affection; no knife could
cut their love in two, or Katherine, either,
probably, and shall certainly do all
can to convert Bess into Mrs."-
Barrymore"
I had risen, for Aunt Margaret was on
the point of going. The tea-bell had rung.
She was on the other side of the threshold.
Barrymore! After all, there may be
more than one Barrymore. Philip Bar
rymore was the name of the hero of my
dreams.
fell back into my chair, clutching at
the arms. 1t was very foolish of me, but
1 could not help it. If the chair had not
been just where it was, I should have sat
on the floor.
"Why-why, Katherine"
'It's nothing" I murmured, while the
chairs and tables went spinning around. ]
should have tainted, but for determine
ton not to so disgrace myself. 1 am
strong-willed; you should see what a
square jaw 1 have.
"Why, Katherine"
asst. Vitus' dance, aunt. I-Pm subject
to it."
81 never suspected you of having
nerves. It must be your school-teaching.
If you would only listen to Mr.. Har-
ris'-
'sGingertown forever, first. See, I am
all right now. Go to tea; don't worry.
shall follow you in few minutes"
/ almost pushed her out and closed the
door. If it should be my Barrymorel
was in honor bound to resign all CT aim to
him; to make no attempt to win him back.
1 called on Memory to hold up her glass.
and for few moments gazed on the pict-
ure of the past it held, with hir hand
some, dark face in the foreground.
He was not one who could easily forget.
If he and Bess' lover proved the same, it
would prove to my satisfaction, at least,
that he had never really been mine.
recollected yesterday slipping up behind
Bess. She had been marking on the win.
dow with her diamond ring, ''P. B."
remember those letters carved on the
trunk Of tree, with 'K. F." underneath.
The smell of violets, the strains of an old
waltz, and behold! his face is before me-
his hand on mine.
Bah, what stuff! AS if he were ghost,
perpetually popping up like jack-in-the
box whenever things took a sentimental
turn.
My reveries made me late for supper. As
I came past the library afterwards, 1 saw
some one standing beside Bess, talking to
her in a low voice, but very earnestly.
1t was Philip Barrymore. l did not
pause in my walk past the door; but with
averted head and quickened step flew to
my room. Meet we will, sooner or later,
but 1 must have little more time, first.
After the theater, the next evening,
went into my Cousins room for a talk.
She was standing before the glass, in her
he loS
old pet name of Pigeon, thought, as
gazed upon her. She was fair and plump
and had regular doves eyes. Naturally
quiet and shy she was. with the softest
cooling voice in the world.
"It's you, Katherine; Pm so glad.
was worrying about you. You have acted
SO queerly this evening; and what has put
that terrible look into your eyes?"
Cramps" I rejoin, laconically, draw.
ing her down beside me in the great easy
chair. COR haunting fear that Crusot
will bear me away to his desert island be
fore am ready. But, talking of eyes
why have yours looked so red and moist
latelyw
ga sty coming, perhaps"
"Don't talk to me Of stys; no such thing
You've been shedding midnight tears, and
having regular fits of the blues-that's
what. 1 can see right through you,
Pigeon, you transparent little hypocrite
You're in love, head over heels; and tc
think of the child trying to keep it to her.
self"
The little thing was rosy and pale and
breathless. all at once. She gave me be
seeching look, and I Rugged her there and
then.
"Now make a clean breast of it.; tell me
all-all-all."
"Why, Katherine"
''Don't you why, Katherine me.o
looked at her severely. "You are in love
then. Is he worthy of you? Stop; see g
whole avalanche of superlative adjectives
in your eyes; well, suppose he is, though
doubt it. l assure you, he will find me
hard to please. But, prisoner at the bar,
since you love each other, in the classic
language of Shakespeare, what's the row:
Why these means and groans, this general
lachry mosity?"
"Must tell you?"
"You just must"
"I'm sure he loves me, but it's my miser
able money-how 1 hate it; wish 1 had
not a penny-that keeps him from telling
me so, and we're both M miserable. Pm
so unhappy, II don't care to Live with
out him, and he-he's"-
SIN the same boat. There, there, don't
cry, Pigeon"
She has her head tucked under my arm
and is sobbing her affectionate, discour.
aged little heart out. l say every reas.
surfing thing which occurs to me, and
make promises ruthlessly. feel as if it is
the safest way for me.
'You shall be married by Easter. and I
will be your first bridesmaid. I shall
stand up with-let me see-with Daisy"
Pigeon laughs at this. "Daisy" is one
of her ardent admirers, an innocent-faced,
confiding young gosling, with great ex-
pectations. His grandfather has money,
and diseased liver, which is bound to
carry him off before long.
81 feel better already. All! If papa
only would consent. Pm glad 1 had to
tell you every thing. There is something
so strong about you, katherine. You are
equal to a whole regiment of girls. If ]
had been a man, / should have married
you long ago."
'sThat's brave of you. Not many would
be willing to marry a woman equal to a
whole regiment"
laugh at the idea. "What dear little
hubby you would make"
"There isn't any ring to your laugh to-
night. Do tell me, Katherine, were you
ever in love, and-disappointed?"
This was feeler. l hesitate, just q mo.
ment.
eyes, once, long, long ago, when was
Young and charming"
"Ah! And you never breathed word Of
it before. What was he like, and what
happened?"
Every much like old Crusoe, only more
so; and nothing happened worth mention
ing. He was fond of mushrooms and ate
some toad stools once by mistake. 1t was
a great mistake. You see it couldn't be
rectified very well It made q great